Sherman A. Kinney Award 2017 Lawrence R. Kelleher
Lawrence R. Kelleher Gymnasium - Tyngsborough HS
Lawrence “Larry” Kelleher has been married to his wife, June, for 47 years. Larry and June enjoy time with their son Timothy, and his wife Jessica, who have two children of their own, Ryan and Emma (all are pictured in the photograph (left) as part of “Team Kelleher”). Larry also has a brother, William, who supports Larry with many of his MIAA efforts.
Larry’ professional career in education began in Tyngsborough High School and spanned 35 years. During his decorated career at Tyngsborough High School, Larry worked as a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal and principal. Today, the gymnasium at Tyngsborough High School is appropriately named the Lawrence R. Kelleher Gymnasium. Dr. Michael Flanagan, Superintendent of Tyngsborough Public Schools, was happy to state, “As a former member of the MIAA Basketball Committee, I appreciate and recognize the esteem that is associated with the annual Sherman A. Kinney Award. This year, the selection committee could not have chosen a more deserving recipient for this award than Mr. Larry Kelleher. Beginning in the early 1970’s as the legendary basketball coach who put Tyngsborough High School Athletics on the map, Larry has worked tirelessly to promote high school athletics, most specifically Massachusetts high school basketball, throughout his career. Known throughout the Commonwealth, Larry Kelleher has been an advocate for students, an ambassador for the MIAA, and a role model who is unquestionably deserving of this great honor.” Larry’s love and devotion to the sport of basketball stretched far beyond his many roles at Tyngsboro High School and continues today. Larry has been an MIAA Tournament Director for the last 32 years and counting. He has been an MIAA basketball observer since the program’s inception. Larry is a lifetime member of IAABO Board #95 referees (43 years) and continues today as sub‐varsity assignor of officials (35 years). IAABO Board #95 presents annually the Lawrence Kelleher Coach’s Award to a local basketball coach for Sportsmanship, Achievement, and Dedication to the sport of Basketball. Larry is a graduate of Bridgewater State College, where he played on the varsity basketball team. He was the assistant basketball coach at UMass Lowell with longtime friend Tony Romano, and today directs the Tony Romano Golf League at Longmeadow Golf Club in Lowell in memory of basketball icon, and previous Sherman A. Kinney Award winner, Tony Romano. Sherman A. Kinney May 1, 1931 ‐ October 4, 1999 This Award honors Sherm Kinney, who passed away in 1999 after serving the MIAA in an executive capacity since its inception. Kinney left a legacy of integrity, honesty and sportsmanship, and the award is intended to recognize an individual who reflects those values. A graduate of Fairhaven High School, Sherm Kinney was a three sport all‐star participant in football, basketball and baseball, a captain in all three sports, and President of his Senior Class. At Springfield College, he played football and distinguished himself at baseball. Entering the teaching and coaching ranks at Somerset High School and later at Hamilton‐Wenham Regional High School, Kinney established a reputation for combining the physical and mental aspects of teaching and coaching. The student‐athletes under his guidance experienced fully the educational values of participation in high school athletics. Over 22 seasons, his basketball teams compiled a record of 323 wins and 111 losses. Sherm’s teams qualified for tournament play in 18 of those years, winning eight league championships and three times reaching the semi‐finals of the MIAA tournament. In 1987 Sherm was inducted into the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches’ Hall of Fame. Kinney’s background, which included a stint as a professional baseball player and coach of a championship baseball team in Holland in addition to his experience as a high school football, basketball, baseball and golf coach, prepared him well for the responsibilities of an MIAA Associate Director, a position he held for 18 years. Among his many MIAA duties, Kinney held executive leadership responsibility for football, basketball, baseball and wrestling. One proud element of his MIAA legacy is the leadership and initiative he demonstrated during the creation of the MIAA Committee on Sportsmanship, Integrity and Ethics. These values reflect and define the life and career of Sherman A. Kinney. High school sport lost a treasure with his passing, but his impact continues to positively affect interscholastic athletics throughout Massachusetts.